Best Essential Oils For Pneumonia

Pneumonia is a lung infection (concentrated in the alveoli, or tiny air sacks, in the lungs) that can be very serious and even life threatening for vulnerable people in some circumstances. Babies, people with other diseases, and older adults can become especially ill, and might have to stay in the hospital. In this article, we have listed the best essential oils for pneumonia relief.

How is Pneumonia Contracted?

Pneumonia can be contracted during activities of daily life, such as at work or school. When it is caught this way, it is referred to as community-associated pneumonia. Pneumonia contracted in a hospital or nursing home is called healthcare-associated pneumonia.

Pneumonia is usually caused by bacteria or a virus. You catch it by breathing bacteria or a virus into your lungs. It seems that people who have just had a cold or the flu are more vulnerable to developing pneumonia. This is because it is difficult for your lungs to fight off an incoming infection when it’s already busy dealing with another one.

People who have a chronic or long-term disease like diabetes, cancer, heart disease, asthma, or any illness that can suppress the immune system, are also more vulnerable to developing pneumonia. People with heart failure and cystic fibroids are also at greater risk. Smokers are more vulnerable to developing pneumonia than non-smokers.

What is the Difference Between Pneumonia Caused by Bacteria and Pneumonia Caused by a Virus?

If your pneumonia is caused by bacteria, the symptoms will probably appear quickly. Symptoms can include:

Fever

Feeling short or breath, or breathing quickly

Cough (you will probably cough up sputum (mucus). It might be tinged with blood, rusty, or green in color.

“Teeth-chattering” chills and shaking

Chest pain that worsens with breathing or coughing

Rapid heartbeat

Feeling weak or extremely tired

Nausea and vomiting

Diarrhea

Low blood pressure

Loss of appetite

Headache

In older adults, confusion or delirium is a common symptom of pneumonia. These patients might not run a fever or cough up mucus. If they have a lung disease of any sort, it may worsen.

When pneumonia is caused by a virus, the patient will probably experience symptoms like those caused by bacterial pneumonia, but they will likely come on more slowly. Also, they might not be as severe or immediately evident.

If you think that you might have pneumonia, you must see your doctor as soon as possible. He or she will carry out a physical exam and ask about your symptoms.

You might also be required to have a complete blood count (CBC) and chest x-ray. Additional tests might also be needed. Pneumonia caused by a bacterial infection will require antibiotic treatment.

What to Do When You Have Pneumonia

As we mentioned earlier, it is essential that you see your doctor if you think you have pneumonia. There are things you can do at home while you’re getting better too, though. One of the most important things you can do is to drink lots of liquids and enjoy plenty of sleep and rest. Cough medicine might be helpful if coughing is keeping you up at night.

How Essential Oils Can Help

Numerous essential oils can be helpful when you’re recovering from pneumonia. Oregano, thyme, and rosewood essential oils are known to be especially effective in fighting bacteria. Clove and cinnamon oils are also useful in this respect.

Examples of essential oils that are useful in helping to alleviate some of the symptoms of pneumonia include the following. Note that only some of them are safe for ingestion; others can be used in alternative ways.

Best Essential Oils For Pneumonia

Oil of Oregano

Oil of oregano can be taken orally or used externally. If you want to take it orally, make sure you buy a variety that is indicated as appropriate for that use, and make sure to read the instructions on the product label regarding daily dosages. Oil of oregano has antibacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal properties.

Oil of oregano has impressive abilities. In 2001, a lab test discovered that oil of oregano had the ability to kill staphylococcus bacteria. A study from the UK has reported that the oil is effective in fighting 25 different kinds of bacteria. You should always look for an oil of oregano that has a high level of carvacrol, its most important component.

Thyme essential oil’s benefits include strengthening the immune system and improving the circulation and skin. The oil can improve circulation, and a good circulation is essential for effective and efficient healing and recovery from illness.

Several of thyme’s components help to boost the immune system, as it has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. Thyme has antispasmodic and expectorant properties, which means that it will be helpful with a cough.

Rosewood Essential Oil

Rosewood essential oil is extracted from an evergreen tree called Aniba rosaeodora. This tree is found in Peru and Brazil. Rosewood is designated as part of the laurel (Lauraeae) plant family (alone with cassia, bay, cinnamon, and camphor). The smell of Rosewood oil is thought to be helpful with depression and anxiety.

The oil is also used in skincare. Once way to use Rosewood oil is to diffuse it in a vaporizer. You can also dilute it with a carrier oil and put a couple of drops on an area of skin that needs help in healing.

You might like to add it to your bathwater, as well. If you prefer showers, after a hot shower put several drops of Rosewood oil (diluted with a carrier oil) in the palms of your hands and put it all over your body.

Leave it on for as long as you like and then rinse it off. When inhaled in steam vapor, Rosewood oil can help with muscle contractions, colds, sinusitis, and coughs.

Clove Essential Oil

Clove oil is extracted from the flower buds of a tree, the Eugenia caryophyllata. It originally grew only in the Spice Islands but it now found in a number of other tropical regions. Clove oil has a strong flavor and aroma.

The oil’s main component is Eugenol. 70 to 90 percent of clove oil is comprised of Eugenol. Clove oil has strong antioxidant properties. It is known especially for its ability to help with digestion and ease gastrointestinal issues.

It also has anti-fungal properties, and can help with respiratory issues. Clove oil can be useful in dealing with sinus and chest congestion. Add clove oil to water and boil, and then inhale the steam. You can also add clove oil to a chest rub.

Cinnamon Essential Oil

Cinnamon oil has many beneficial properties. It helps to boost the immune system and is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antiparasitic.

It contains ingredients such as methyleugenol, phellandrene, cinnamaldehyde, and eugenol. The most important component is cinnamaldehyde.

Cinnamon bark oil and cinnamon leaf oil are both available, although cinnamon bark oil is often more potent. Both can decrease inflammation, fight parasites, fight free radicals, fight viruses, and boost circulation.

Cinnamon oil can be especially helpful in dealing with a sore throat. If you want to take cinnamon oil orally, you will need to buy from a reputable brand and ensure that it is the highest quality oil and indicated for internal use.

To take cinnamon oil orally, mix a bit of it with honey or put in a fruit smoothie. Another way to take it is to mix it into a drop of water.

To use cinnamon oil aromatically, you can add it to a pan or bowl of steaming hot water and breathe in the vapors. Cinnamon oil can also be used topically. Make sure to read the instructions on the product label before use.

Camphor Essential Oil

Camphor essential oil has decongestant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, stimulant, sedative, and anti-inflammatory properties. This oil is extracted from two types of camphor tree: the Common Camphor tree and Borneo Camphor tree.

Camphor oil is known for having a lasting aroma and being penetrating and cool. This essential oil boosts secretion, excretion, digestion, metabolism, and the functioning of the circulatory system.

It helps to eliminate congestion. Add some camphor essential oil to a pan of steaming water and inhale the vapors to help reduce congestion and inflammation.

Peppermint Essential Oil

Peppermint essential oil has many health benefits. These include its ability to help with nausea, headache, respiratory problems, indigestion, and even pain. The menthol in peppermint helps to clear the nasal passages.

This oil has anti-fungal properties, and will generally boost the immune system. Peppermint essential oil is very well-known for its ability to soothe cough, sinusitis, and nasal congestion.

Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender essential oil is useful in dealing with many different respiratory issues including, for example, tonsillitis, laryngitis, sinus congestion, cough, and throat infection. It also encourages improved blood circulation.

To use lavender oil, mix it into a carrier oil and massage it into your back, chest, and neck.

You can also put it in an inhaler or vaporizer, or add it to a pan of steaming hot water and breathe in the vapors. This will help to loosen the phlegm as well as ease congestion. Lavender oil has antibacterial properties.

Eucalyptus Essential Oil

Eucalyptus essential oil has stimulating, antibacterial, decongestant, anti-inflammatory, and antispasmodic properties. It is extracted from the leaves of the eucalyptus, a tall, evergreen tree.

The eucalyptus tree’s scientific name is Eucalptus Globulus. While eucalyptus is native to Australia, it is now grown in South Africa, India, and even Europe. Australia, however, is still by far the most important source of eucalyptus in the world.

Eucalyptus essential oil is effective in helping to clear congestion and reduce inflammation. Apply eucalyptus essential oil (mixed with a carrier oil) to your chest and back, concentrating especially on the areas of the lungs.

Eucalyptus oil is well-known for its ability to help with many different respiratory problems, and can reduce inflammation and promote healing.

This essential oil is also believed to be useful in bringing down body temperature and fever. In fact, some people even refer to it as “fever oil”. You can mix eucalyptus essential oil with peppermint oil to increase its efficacy.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil, also referred to as melaleuca, is extracted from Melaleuca alternifolia, a plant native to Australia. It is strongly antibacterial, and is popular for treating wounds to help prevent infection.

Tea tree oil is able to kill many different kinds of fungi, viruses, and bacteria. It is also anti-inflammatory. Tea tree oil can never be taken orally, as it is toxic.

However, you can add it to a pan of steaming hot water and breathe in the vapors.

The way an oil should be used depends on the specific type.

Below Are Some Specific Ways You Can Use Essential Oils To Help With the Symptoms of Your Pneumonia

Oregano oil taken orally

You can take certain grades of oil of oregano orally. You can buy oil of oregano from any health food store. Specifically look for an oil that has a high level of Carvacrol, preferably at least around 80 percent.

Make sure that the oil you choose is one that you can take orally. It will say so on the label. You should also refer to the label for instructions regarding daily dosages.

As we mentioned earlier, oil of oregano has excellent antibacterial properties, and will help to promote the strength of your immune system. If you would like, you can also add oregano oil to a pan of steaming hot water and breathe in the vapor. This will help with congestion and inflammation.

Tea tree and eucalyptus oil steam

You can inhale tea tree and eucalyptus oils in steam in order to soothe your respiratory system and help break down phlegm in the throat and lungs. It will also help to eliminate mucus.

In order to do this, you will need a large bowl, hot water, a thick towel, one drop of eucalyptus oil, and one drop of tea tree oil. Boil the water on the stove, and then take it off the heat.

Remove the pot from the stove and place it on a table. You can now breathe in the soothing steam.

You will find it helpful to put a thick towel over your head while you do this, to help hold in the beneficial vapor so you can breathe in the maximum amount. You should breathe in the steam for at least five minutes.

Clove oil in a carrier oil

Mix clove oil with a carrier oil and apply this mixture to your chest and back, concentrating on the lung area. This will help to alleviate congestion and make breathing easier. It will also help with inflammation.

This chest rub will help to dislodge mucus in the lungs. It is also a powerful decongestant. In order to make this chest rub, you will need beeswax pastilles (one tablespoon), shea butter (quarter of a cup), peppermint essential oil (four drops), camphor essential oil (two drops), and lavender oil (four drops).

Melt the beeswax pastilles and shea butter in a double boiler. After it is fully melted, take the mix off the heat to cool a little bit. Once the mixture has slightly cooled, mix in the essential oils.

Put the mix in a container and put it in the fridge to cool and set. After it has fully cooled and set, use it as a chest rub as often as you like.

Foot reflexology rub with lavender, rosewood, and thyme essential oils: Many people find a foot reflexology rub with essential oils to be helpful when dealing with pneumonia.

When doing this message, you need to focus on the upper ball of the foot between the pinky and big toes, as this is the lung point on the feet.

Mix all the ingredients together and put them in a glass jar to store the liquid. Massage a small amount into the foot’s lung point. You should use a circular motion in your massaging, and do it for at least five minutes or until the oil is fully absorbed into your feet. Once you have done this, put socks on your feet.

Steam with peppermint or bergamot: Inhaling stream with peppermint or bergamot will help to fight bacteria in your lungs and open up the bronchial passages.

Boil three cups of water and then put it In a glass bowl. Add at least five drops of peppermint or bergamot oil. Place a thick towel over your head, and then begin breathing in the vapor. Keep your eyes closed while you do this, as they might water or experience burning otherwise.

Eucalyptus in a carrier oil

You can apply eucalyptus in a carrier oil directly to your back and chest. This will help to clear and soothe your breast, as well as ease your breathing. You can do this several times a day, as needed.

Camphor in a carrier oil

Make a mixture of camphor oil and a carrier oil, and massage this mixture into your chest and back over your lungs. This will help with your respiratory symptoms, such as congestion and inflammation.

Lavender in a carrier oil

Mix lavender oil in a carrier oil. Use this mixture as a rub for your chest. It will help with inflammation and other respiratory symptoms.

You can also add lavender essential oil to a pan of steaming hot water and breathe in the vapors. This will help to clear congestion and inflammation. It will also relax you.

Cinnamon oil in a fruit smoothie

Add a few drops of cinnamon oil to a fruit smoothie and enjoy once or twice a day. This will help you get cinnamon oil’s excellent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Make sure to read the label on your bottle of cinnamon oil, to ensure that you are aware of dosage information.

Cinnamon oil with honey

Mix a few drops of cinnamon oil into a bit of honey, and eat it with a spoon. This will help with your congestion and you will benefit from cinnamon oil’s antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Remember to read the label on your cinnamon oil bottle, to make sure that you are aware of dosage information.

Cinnamon oil in tea

Add a few drops of cinnamon oil to a cup of hot tea. Sip this tea to help soothe your nasal and respiratory passages, and to clear congestion.

You can add cinnamon oil to other beverages, as well. Make sure to read the instructions on the label of the bottle of cinnamon oil that you buy, to make sure that you are aware of appropriate dosages.

Peppermint essential oil in tea

Make sure to purchase a peppermint oil that is indicated as being appropriate for ingestion. Add a few drops of this oil to a hot cup of tea (such as peppermint tea). Drinking this steaming tea will help to clear your congestion and reduce inflammation in your nasal passages and respiratory passages.

Conclusion

Pneumonia is a serious infection and needs to be treated properly. If you think you have pneumonia, it’s best to consult with your doctor as soon as possible. Most instances, antibiotics are needed. However, you can speed up your healing process with above mentioned essential oils alongside with antibiotics.

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